Lotus lightweights go greener
2009-04-17 07:33
Lotus, the Hethel based manufacturer of guilt-free performance cars, has achieved even greater efficiency gains for the 2009 Elise and Exige ranges.
Although some of gains, especially on the supercharged versions, have been negligible, entry level Elise/Exige models (the S range) are now 0.7l/100km less thirsty, averaging out at 7.6l/100km on the combined cycle.
The improvement in consumption is part of an ongoing design philosophy at Lotus which has always underpinned the company's designs with a minimalist twist to gain performance without weight.
As a marker for what can be achieved in the rarefied sub five second 0-100km/h performance car market, the Elise SC qualifies as a veritable saint in class. Consuming only 8.5l/100km, whilst emitting 199g/km of CO2, the SC still rockets from 0-100km/h in a rapid 4.6 seconds.
Porsche’s Boxster S, by comparison, consumes 9.5/100km, emits 223g/km of CO2, and is nearly a second slower from 0-100km/h at 5.3 seconds.
If you’re in the market for a serious performance car, and don’t like the idea of Polar bears swimming for the rest of their lives, the Lotus Elise/Exige ranges are still the business.
